I bought an older version Rockies on closeout at Campmor for a mere $110. For the price you can't beat that deal, but as others have said here the newer version have some improvements. My only complaint would be what another has already mentioned, and that is the top compartment has a forward-facing zipper which would be more convenient if it faced backwards. Also, the sleeping bag compartment is seperated from the main compartment permanentaly, and can't be zipped open from the inside. That's a minor complaint though. The only time you might need to do so would be if your sleeping bag was too big to fit into the sleeping bag compartment alone, but you would have to have a huge bag for that to be the case. It is true that the top compartment does not move up when you want to expand the main compartment, and therefore it tilts forward. However, I haven't had a problem with it tilting forward into the back of my head, and so I don't mind. I can easily fit my thermarest underneath the top pocket and above the main compartment.
This pack will carry everything you need and then some. It really is tempting to bring too much. For the price you will be very happy with what you get. It's very comfortable. The water bottle pockets are easily accessible without taking the pack off, which is great: just reach back, get some water, and put the bottle back without ever having to stop. You can't ask for more pockets than this pack has. The daisy chains are nice too. Jansport sells some very inexpensive add-on pockets ($10-$15) for a variety of functions that clip on to these daisy chains. Very nice.

In all this pack is a bargain. I love it and plan to use it for as long as it will last, which appears to be a very long time as it is quite sturdy.

Customer Service

My experience with Jansport's customer service was with a different pack, but I'll mention it here because it was great. I had an old Jansport book bag that I sent in for repair. I wanted them to repair the zipper. While it was away I got several postcards from my "backpack" telling me it was having fun at "backpack camp". When I got my bag back the zipper was repaired, all new zipper pulls had been installed, and the leather bottom had been replaced. The leather bottom was damaged over the years from all my college textbooks. Such damage was expressely not covered in the warranty, but they replaced it anyway, free of charge, and without me asking. Wonderful.

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Old Coleman external frame stuff.

I originally bought the Rockies because it was the cheapest, was one of the lighter packs for it's size, and had a lot of pockets/modularity- which is nice when you stop on the trail and all you have to do is reach around to grab what you need & "chill" while everyone else digs to the bottom of their packs. I have ridden my Rockies down snowy hillsides "horse style" (yes i'm too lazy to walk), thrown it across granite bedrock, and have abused it in every way over the past 3 years. I am surprised that nothing beyond the normal wear and tear has broken. The only blemish "convience hole" was created by a racoon on the side pocket. The only gripe I have is the weak suspension system. Heavier loads means more careful packing, which means I can't do the usual stuff and jump method into the top lid. I also wish it had a detachable "quick-pack". But for the price and size I can't complain.

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None

Nice pack, great fit and adjustments are nice. The value was excellent.

My complaints are recommendations to Jansport and to you as potential customers. The pack is expandable but the lid cannot be raised to match the expansion, in-other-words, it will hinge towards you head. (I hope this isn't just an older version)

A second short coming is that the access zipper to the lid (top compartment)is on the frame side, so when the pack is set down you have to access the lid from the frame side (while all other pockets are accessible from the back). And if the lid is opened to access the main compartment, you have to pull the lid back over the main compartment to access the lid's zipper. I find myself automatically reaching the front of the lid for the zipper and it is annoying to have to go to the other side.

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None

BIG BIG pack. I am 6 feet 2 inches tall and weigh in around 190 pounds. I have packed around 100+ miles with this pack... I LOVE IT. It is a rockies tall version. I like the fact that you can pack everything inside with nothing hanging out to fall off or get hung on low branches and such. My sleeping bag compressed, fits neatly inside the compartment and 2 man tent and thermarest fit securely inside main compartment with plenty of room for more. I do mostly winter backpacking and it holds everything I need for a week in the snow. I have proved this pack to be great on long backpacking trips. Jansport quality in my mind is superior even though no believes how well the construct their packs. I recommend this pack highly. Be carefull though because of it big size you can easily overpack for a short trip.

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1ST true backpacking pack

Great Pack! I moved up to the 1999 rockies "tall", from a hillery III (still a very good pack),over a year ago. And at 6'3" 290# this pack fits me great. I recently took this pack on a 12 mile outing at devils den Ark. ascending and descending some 2200 ft. with 65# (25# more than needed),and the pack did great. My thermarest and tent fit good under the side pockets and my aluminum stool hangs on the back for easy access. I,ll have this one for a long time.

Customer Service

have not needed to.

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Kelty super tioga, Lowe alpine contour IV 90,Hillery III

I have used last years model of the Rockies on a few hikes carrying around 40 pounds and travelling 5 miles a day. This pack is quite large, but can be cinched down if you don't need the room. Upon extended trips last year, I longed for a sturdier hipbelt, and a more solid frame. Well, those 2 complaints have been met with this years redesign. Jansport added a plastic stiffener to the hipbelt, and a framesheet to the aluminum stays. This makes a world of difference. I really like this pack. I can not think of anything I would change. It seemes silly not to have these features on a pack of this size, and that was my main complaint. But now, no problems. I just finished 10 mile day backpacking trip with 45 pounds on my 150 pound body. I didn't have any rub spots and my shoulders were not sore. My friend did, and he had the older design. I like all of the pockets and lash points, and a 2 qt. bladder fits well in the side pockets. I would certainly buy this pack again, and recommend it highly. Make sure you get the updated version with the plastic inserts. This makes all the difference. My review goes for a perfect 5 out of 5 now. And for around $150, how can you say no?

Customer Service

Jansports service with other products I have had is very responsive.

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Many internal and external frame packs

The Rockies represents a good value for an internal pack. I recently used one on an 11 day 65 mile trail/camp trek and the ability to stuff 60-70 lbs into this pack was evident. The load tended to lean/shift if not positioned carefully and the rounded bottom made ground packing a small chore. all in all I would take it a again and will use it again on the App trail in Ga. this winter. Another comment, the side pockets were rendered somewhat useless when cinching the load. Make sure to stuff them before packing the central cavity and make sure the items are compressible.

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Kelty Red Cloud, Super Tioga

A great value for the price. Found it good for general backpacking. Found the waist band fit well at the start of most trips. As I lost weight there would be a point where I could not cinch it tight enough to get it off my shoulders. The hip belt is nicely padded but for me to long, not having enought webbing to be able to adjust it tight enough was my problem.

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Upgraded to the Jansport Alaska. Has a greater belt adjustment.

This pack is adjustable six ways from Sunday. I carried it fully loaded and was surprised at how comfortable it is. There are pockets for everything, and that makes it easier to organize gear, as well as making it easy to keep items accessable. I like the two large side pockets with integrated compression straps that make it easy to attach my pad and tent. I bought it on sale and am happy with it.

I bought a rockies backpack to replace a very old external frame i had. I am very happy with this backpack because it has so much space. my old backpack had very little space, some of my friends even called it a "flap with straps." I can fit everything i need and more in this pack and more. I have used it a couple of times now and it has gone through plenty of abuse. It is the most comfortable pack i have ever had or tried on. I really like how adjustable it is, considering how little internal frames can be adjusted. I really like this pack and i would recommend it to anyone who asks for my advice.